ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, February 4, 1996 TAG: 9602050005
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
TYPE: LETTERS
I am writing to you in reference to the article that was printed in The Roanoke Times on Jan. 25 titled "Ad Manager: Threats Killed 'Diversity' Billboard." The billboard was taken down due to controversy.
As a straight, I do not post billboard signs in a community to advertise my right to be straight or to advertise my religion. In this country many have died fighting for the right to be free to live how they choose. Therefore, I don't criticize anyone for the way they choose to live. It's their business. But it bothers me when they advertise and try to push their opinions on me.
If the gays want to be gay then that's their business, but don't push others to accept your way of life. I quote a gay rights activist as stating in the article that she "thought more of this community" than to think that it would threaten to get the billboard removed. I work in this community and I'm a part of it. I believe that some of the greatest people in the world live right here in Christiansburg.
It may do her good to find a community somewhere else that may accept her opinions because I don't think the community here in Christiansburg is the one with the problem.
Mike Smith
Pilot
Too many problems with Lowe's building
In discussing repair of the former Lowe's building, a number of factors should be considered before more time and money is spent remodeling this structure into a recreation center for Christiansburg:
nThe most pressing problem is the building is not suitable for a recreational facility. Basketball courts with building columns close to the out-of-bounds line are just plain dangerous. No spectator seating except for "cheap seats" behind the back boards is ludicrous.
The building is, at best, marginally engineered for this area, witness the two cave-ins of the roof.
Has there been enough evaluation of the remaining standing structure to determine if the supports have had their yield strength exceeded? This could cause the maximum permissible snow and wind loads in the future to decrease on the remaining original portion of the building.
Snow drifting caused by the changes of the roof line will continue to pose potential problems for water damage as well as snow load.
What is the engineered life of this building, ten years, fifteen, fifty? It is now about 10 years old. There is a point, as with automobiles, when it is more fiscally responsible to replace a damaged structure rather than repair it.
Will the contractors that bid on the repairs and renovations "hedge" their bids based on the past deficiencies of the structure and the considerable public discontent with the suitability of the facility?
Will the town's insurance rates rise if this building continues to be insured?
Who is going to be financially responsible the next time damage to the building and the renovated facilities or injuries involved with building problems occurs?
The people of Christiansburg deserve more for their dollars than an old hardware store with a caved-in roof.
Richard Helbling
Christiansburg
Out-of-staters still are Hokies
As a former Virginian and a Hokie, now a non-Virginian but still a Hokie, I would like to respond to Tyler Craddock's column on "Better ways to fund higher education" in the Sunday Current on Jan. 21. Before he speaks too quickly - and rashly -about out-of-state tuition and financial aid for non-Virginians, perhaps he should check with the financial offices at Virginia Tech to find out how much money is donated to the school by non-Virginians. Does he really think the state of Virginia could supply enough students to keep the university operating?
Furthermore, many of the current Virginia residents-students will find it necessary to become non-Virginians to find a job after graduation. Will these former Hokies then be banished from the school as Craddock seems to want to do to us now?
Perhaps I should have sent my 30 years of donations and my son to another school!
Janice Rudacille
Knoxville, Tenn.
LENGTH: Medium: 90 linesby CNB